180 - Daniel Sellitti -How Puerto Rico plan success on the biggest stage!

08/01/24 • 48 min

Daniel Sellitti is Sporting Director at the Puerto Rico Football Association.

Roles and Challenges in Soccer- 0:12

Daniel Sellitti explains his dual roles in the soccer world, emphasizing the interplay between his positions at North Carolina FC and the Puerto Rico Football Federation. He delves into the complexities of the American soccer scene, discussing the cultural influences and the challenges faced by clubs in different states. Sellitti also highlights the importance of creating opportunities for players and the unique characteristics of the soccer landscape in North Carolina.

Discussion on Multi-Sport Background and Specialization - 8:34

Daniel and Michael delve into the complexities of managing multi-sport backgrounds in youth athletes, addressing the balance between high performance potential and participation for enjoyment. They explore the impact of family background and the benefits of early exposure to different sports on athletic development.

Discussion on the Development of Soccer in Puerto Rico - 12:43

Daniel Sellitti explains the growing popularity of soccer in Puerto Rico and its historical context compared to other sports in the region. Michael Wright shares his observations on the cultural influence of sports in different countries and the impact on their respective cultures, highlighting the unique integration of sports and culture in different regions.

National Teams' Activities and Progress - 20:10

Michael Wright and Daniel Sellitti provide an overview of the national teams' activities, highlighting the senior team's performance in CONCACAF, the men's team's potential qualification for the Gold Cup, and the women's team's recent achievements. They also discuss the upcoming tournaments and preparations for various age groups, including the U20s, U17s, U15s, and U14s.

Approach to National Team Playing Styles and Staff Structure - 26:57

Daniel Sellitti and Michael Wright delve into the playing styles and staff structure for the Puerto Rico national soccer teams. They highlight the possession-oriented and numerical overload approach for the men's team, while also discussing the women's team's defensive sophistication and counterattacking style. The conversation also touches on the staff's dedication and the common language used across different age groups.

Contrasting Soccer Mentalities - 28:41

Daniel Sellitti and Michael Wright delve into the cultural and philosophical differences in soccer mentalities between Puerto Rico and the UK, exploring the early emphasis on competition and winning in Puerto Rico, contrasting it with the non-competitive approach in the UK until the age of 18. They also touch on the influence of socioeconomic factors and the pay-to-play model in American soccer.

Building Scouting Networks and Grassroots Football in Puerto Rico - 35:39

Daniel Sellitti shares the process of building scouting networks and grassroots football in Puerto Rico, highlighting the recruitment of U.S.-based players with Puerto Rican heritage. He emphasizes the significance of fostering a sense of pride and unity among players representing Puerto Rico, regardless of their geographical location, and discusses the impact on the success of the initiative.

Scouting and Player Identification Process -40:29

Daniel Sellitti explains the scouting and identification process for players, involving volunteers and a vetting process to select the best players for the national teams. He also discusses the goal of establishing a US-based camp and federation hotels and fields for players during camps in Puerto Rico.

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Daniel Sellitti is Sporting Director at the Puerto Rico Football Association.

Roles and Challenges in Soccer- 0:12

Discussion on Multi-Sport Background and Specialization - 8:34

Discussion on the Development of Soccer in Puerto Rico - 12:43

National Teams' Activities and Progress - 20:10

Approach to National Team Playing Styles and Staff Structure - 26:57

Contrasting Soccer Mentalities - 28:41

Building Scouting Networks and Grassroots Football in Puerto Rico - 35:39

Scouting and Player Identification Process -40:29

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

179 - Eric Fawcett - Pattern recognition in Elite Basketball

Eric Fawcett is a coach for Edminton Stingers and a scouting consultant

Introduction to Eric Fawcett- 0:14

Michael Wright invites Eric Fawcett to introduce himself and his work as a basketball coach. Eric provides details about his role as a coach for the Edmonton Stingers in the Canadian Elite Basketball League and his remote consulting for Division 1 basketball teams in the NCAA. He emphasizes his focus on using team strategy, analytics, and global basketball strategies to gain an edge.

Integrating Analytics into Coaching - 8:28

Eric Fawcett explains that while some may label him as an "analytics guy," he sees analytics as a part of a bigger picture in coaching. He draws parallels with how analytics have become integral in other North American sports and emphasizes the need for coaches to be familiar with relevant numbers to make strategic decisions.

Scouting Process and Data Analysis- 14:29

Eric Fawcett discusses his scouting process, emphasizing the importance of using data and film analysis to understand how teams play. He outlines his approach of starting with a quick look at data, followed by a deep dive into film to study play types and strategies. Fawcett also addresses the challenge of identifying anomalies in the data and explains how he filters out irrelevant or misleading information to ensure accurate scouting.

Defensive Strategies in Basketball- 25:33

Michael Wright seeks guidance on training basketball teams to adapt to different defensive styles, drawing parallels to football tactics. Eric Fawcett emphasizes the need to view offensive strategies through the lens of different defensive approaches, such as man-to-man, switching, and zone defense.

Strategic Scouting and Game Preparation-29:30

Eric Fawcett and Michael Wright delve into the intricacies of opponent scouting and game preparation, emphasizing the need to prioritize key elements of opponent strategies and trends. Fawcett discusses the challenges of balancing time for on-court training and game preparation, while also exploring innovative methods, such as using film and social media platforms, to enhance player learning and preparation efficiency.

Elite Players' Pattern Recognition- 41:25

Eric Fawcett and Michael Wright delve into the pattern recognition abilities of high-level basketball players, highlighting how players like LeBron James and Rajon Rondo rely on their extensive basketball vocabulary and pattern recognition skills to make real-time adjustments during games. They also discuss the value of playing in games to develop pattern recognition skills and how to assess the transferability of plays and principles from lower-level leagues to higher levels.

Contextualizing Basketball Strategies 45:36

Eric Fawcett highlights the significance of analyzing defensive styles and levels of play in different basketball leagues to assess the effectiveness of offensive strategies. He explains how understanding the way teams guard pick and roll actions and approach offensive plays is crucial for determining the translation of strategies across leagues. Fawcett also emphasizes the value of watching basketball from various levels and styles to gain a comprehensive understanding of contextualizing strategies.

Contrasting American and European Basketball Styles 48:59

Michael Wright reminisces about the San Antonio Spurs' basketball style, attributing its success to the fluid ball movement and the contribution of non-North American players. Eric Fawcett delves into the differences between American and European basketball styles, emphasizing the stationary positioning in American basketball and the emphasis on movement to create space in European basketball. He also mentions Luka Doncic's perspective on the contrasting spacing in the NBA and EuroLeague.

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Next Episode

181 - Ben Chase - How NIL will change the game in collegiate sports

Introduction and Background 0:30

Michael Wright sets the stage for the podcast interview with Ben Chase, emphasizing the focus on NIL and its implications for college athletics. Ben Chase shares insights into the upcoming football season in Florida and details his role as the director of NIL strategy for the Florida Gators, highlighting his background in law and previous experience with NIL at a national company.

Celebrating Success at the Olympics 4:50

Ben Chase and Michael Wright share their excitement about the university's athletes' achievements at the Olympics, emphasizing the significant number of medals won and the presence of renowned athletes on campus. They also discuss the positive impact of having athletes from different sports training together, creating a collaborative and inspiring environment for all.

NIL and College Athletics - 7 :31

Ben Chase provides a comprehensive explanation of NIL, its evolution, and its impact on college athletes, emphasizing the newfound ability for athletes to monetize their image and the shift towards influencer marketing. Michael Wright highlights the significant revenue generated by universities and the NCAA, shedding light on the disparity in compensation for athletes compared to the substantial revenue generated by college sports.

Impact of NIL on Athletes - 14:45

Ben Chase and Michael Wright delve into the implications of the monetization and legalization of athletes' ability to make money, highlighting the challenges and opportunities it presents. They discuss the changes in athletes' capacity to earn side income and the transformation of their ability to monetize their personal brands, using examples such as gymnast Lian Wong and the Cavendish twins as influencers who can now monetize their names.

Implications of NIL for Athletes and Brand Building - 21:31

Ben Chase delves into the implications of NIL legalization, emphasizing the potential for athletes to monetize their TikTok accounts and build their personal brands. He shares a story of a former kicker who left the team to focus on his YouTube channel, highlighting the business opportunities for athletes in the digital space. Additionally, he discusses the market potential for gymnasts to monetize and sell to their fans, citing examples of athletes creating their own product lines.

Recruiting and Financial Considerations in College Athletics - 25:44

Ben Chase explains his recruiting process for potential soccer commits, emphasizing the tools and access he provides to athletes and the use of a collective to leverage their following in the community. Michael Wright acknowledges the challenges of the transfer portal and discusses the European model of compensating clubs for player development in the UK, highlighting the tiered system and compensation fees attached to players.

Financial Implications of College Athletics - 36:29

Michael Wright and Ben Chase delve into the financial complexities of college athletics, touching on donor fatigue, the challenges of raising funds, and the potential impact on coaching salaries. They also discuss the legal settlement House v. NCAA, which mandates a percentage of revenue to be allocated to athletes, and the resulting need for universities to find additional revenue sources or cut spending.

Future of College Athletics and NIL Impact 45:38

Ben Chase shares his predictions for the future of college football, envisioning regional realignment and a more professionalized approach. He emphasizes the need to protect athletes and discusses potential changes in the landscape of college sports. Michael Wright delves into the complexities of NIL policies, highlighting the challenges and opportunities they bring to college athletics and the NCAA.

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